Lab Craft: Digital Adventures in Contemporary Craft, the new Crafts Council touring exhibition, previews at Tent Digital at the London Design Festival this week. Here are some of the highlights…
Some of the most respected names in craft and design, including Tord Boontje, Michael Eden, Gareth Neal, Timorous Beasties and Nina Tolstrup, contribute. Most of the work is newly commissioned.
The exhibition is curated by design commentator Max Fraser and designed by maker Tomoko Azumi, featuring textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting and more.
Among the innovative cast, Gary Allson and Ismini Samanidou combine weave with software packages, Lynne MacLachlan makes "bubble jewellery" by mimicking bubble and foam structures with computers and Geoffrey Mann crafts a Victorian candelabra to achieve the impossible by shining light off silver.
Azumi has designed the exhibition with graphic designers OPX, using digital production methods and materials.
Two commissioned films accompany the exhibition, exploring some of the
processes used and commentating on them with talking heads.
Lab Craft continues at the Festival until September 26 2010 before launching at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh from October 30.
Read our preview of the London Design Festival.
Liam Hopkins, Bravais Armchair, Lazerian (2010)© Nick Moss
The show features 26 makers specialising in cutting-edge digital technologies such as rapid prototyping, laser cutting, laser scanning and digital printing.
Geoffrey Mann, Shine (2010). Bronze and Silver-Plate© Nick Moss
Justin Marshall, Matrix Bracelet 2 (dyed nylon)© Nick Moss
Melanie Bowles, Digital Shibori (2010). Silk Organza© Nick Moss
Timorous Beasties, Chair upholstered with White Moth All Over (2009). Wood and linen© Nick Moss
Assa Ashuach, Assa Table Loop Light (position twist) (2010). Polyamide© Nick Moss
Zachary Eastwood-Bloom, Information Ate My Table (2010). Beech© Nick Moss
Read our preview of the London Design Festival.
